Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-12-30

spectator to turn his eyes very ofte 1pon
Aida Van Alstyne. No wondtr, she
was very lovely girl, and tonight was
at her best; the delicate rose satin that
clothed her stately, 1.-THE figure up to her
throat and down to her wrists shone like
pale sunset through the filmy lace that
was draped over it aud caught up with
blush-rose; where the lace crossed her
bosom in soft folds from either shoulder
bunch of the same roses nestled, and
the frill of rich lace that stood up about
her throat was held in place apparently
by collar of silver filigree, fine as FROST
work, clasped by a rose of pink coral, in
whose heart sparkled a diamond dew
coronet of dark hair was held by rose
and its bud. And best of all, warm,
natural color lit her fine face, and she
looked as she felt, comfortable and at
ease.
But the others-poor souls, how coulo
they help it l-were pinched with cod:
their cheeks colorless, their pretty noses
absolutely blue; and Rosina Leavitt
could not smother with her utmost eff
forts and her lace handkerchief the in
cessant little cough that made Dr. Camp
bell knit his forehead and stir uneasily in
his seat, for he knew the girl had a sad
inheritance of blood: her mother came
of q consumptive family
DIR. Everett Adams did not forget hi
admiration for the " first bridesmaid u
when this wedding was over. He be.
came more and more devoted, and the
next September society in B were
pleased but not surprised to hear his en-
gagement to Miss Van Astyne an.
nounced. By rather odd coincidence
their wedding too was fixed for Christ
mas Eve. Aida Van Alstyne was very
wealthy, if she was very sensible. She
had as many "maids" to attend her as
Mamie Campbell, and she gave them
their dresses. They were of rose satin
too, but made high in the neck and long.
sleeved, the quantity cut basques
trimmed with white fur, broad band of
it edging the short full skirts poke bon.
nets of the same satin wreathed with
short white ostrich tips, and lunches of
white roses on the left shoulder, com.
pleted the charming and warm costume.
Not one among the pretty group had
ever looked so pretty or been more com.
Portable. And the bride was lovelier
than ever in her close robe of spotIess
satin, with no sparkle of jewel or glitter
of gold about her, but profuse white
roses garlanding from throat to hem her
long dress, and a crown of them fasten.
ing the veil of Mechlen that was all the
drapery that fell over the solid moon.
light folds of her train.
Mrs. Jack Norton looked on from d
chancel pew, and thinking of her own
wedding, gave silent sigh to poor
Rosina Leavitt, sleeping in her Southern
grave. That troublesome little cough
had done its work. She had taken cold
in the church, and gone down to death
so fast no human power could stay hel
steps.
'Do you know what first fixed my
young affection on you, as the novelists
say, Aida" asked DR.. Adams, as he sal
with his bride on the walls of the old fort
at st. Augustine two weeks after theil
wedding.
81 suppose it was my beauty" sh,
answered, with look and laugh of CO.
quettlSh msChle1, Tor Everett Adams haC
always said that he never could or would
marry any woman merely for her goot
looks.
''No, indeed, madame. Though
don't deny the self-eYident fact of YOU
ladyship's loneliness. But the first thins
that attracted me was your sensible anC
comfortable dress at Mrs. Norton's wed
ding. If the other bridemaids had onl,
!, known how pinched and forlorn thel
looked, how little those bare arms anC
necks were admired by the spectators, l
, would have taught them some things
But you were blooming and radiant, ant
your dress far handsomer than theirs.
could not have fallen in love with rec
nose and pale cheeks, admit"
Aida laughed and the doctor kissed
her. There was only sea-gull to b.
cked.-Harper'S Bazar.